Frequently Asked Questions
1. Booking and Paying for a tour
How do I confirm a tour?
To reserve your place, complete the booking form via the link on the tour page. Once we receive your form, we will confirm availability and send you the next steps to secure your booking.
For 2027 tours, your place is confirmed once your booking has been accepted and your deposit has been received.
For 2026 tours, bookings are handled in partnership with our travel agency, and slightly different processes may apply.
How do I pay for the tour?
As of March 2026, We Ride Japan operates tours directly as a registered travel provider in Japan.
2027 Tours
A deposit of 10% is required within 14 days of booking to secure your place.
This deposit is refundable up to six months before the tour start date. If your cancellation was made after this point, the deposit will be applied toward the total cancellation fee, which is calculated based on the total tour price. Deposits may be transferred to another We Ride Japan tour under the following conditions:
- Transfer request must be made before the original departure date
- Deposit must be used within 12 months
- Subject to availability
- Price differences apply
- Transfer permitted once unless agreed otherwise
The remaining balance is due prior to the tour start date. Full payment details and deadlines will be provided at the time of booking.
2026 Tours
Payments are processed via our partner travel agency, Ehime Shinbun Travel (EST), who accept major credit cards and bank transfer. Payment terms for 2026 tours will be provided at the time of booking.
Do you offer an early booking discount?
Yes , we offer a 5% early booking discount on a limited number of places on each tour.
This applies to the first 6 guests booked on each departure and is available when booking at least 6 months in advance.
Once these places are filled, standard pricing applies.
Is my booking secure?
Yes, your booking is fully secure.
For 2026 tours, payments are processed through our partner travel agency, Ehime Shinbun Travel (EST), a licensed travel agency in Japan.
For 2027 tours and beyond, bookings are managed directly by We Ride Japan as a registered travel provider in Japan.
We Ride Japan is a licensed travel company in Japan (Ehime Prefecture Governor Registered Travel Agency No. 2-244) and a member of the All Nippon Travel Agents Association (ANTA).
All bookings are handled in accordance with Japanese travel regulations and consumer protection standards.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellation fees apply depending on how close to the tour start date the cancellation is made.
2027 Tours
A 10% deposit is required to secure your booking. This deposit is refundable up to six months before the tour start date. If your cancellation was made after passed this point, the deposit is still transferable to another We Ride Japan tour if your plans change. The transferred deposit must be used within 12 months of the original tour start date, or, on the next available We Ride Japan tour with availability, unless otherwise agreed by We Ride Japan.
2026 Tours
No deposit is required. Cancellation fees apply in accordance with the same terms outlined below.
Cancellation fees (all tours):
The following cancellation terms are consistent with standard Japanese travel agency policies.
- 45 – 59 days before departure: 10% of total tour price (deposit is non-refundable at this point)
- 30–44 days before departure: 25% of total tour price
- 15–29 days before departure: 50% of total tour price
- 6-14 days before departure: 75% of total tour price
- 1-5 days before departure: 100% of total tour price
- On or after departure date: 100% of total tour price
【Note】
- The deposit will be applied toward the cancellation fee.
- The deposit is refundable up to six months before the tour start date.
- The deposit is transferable to another tour.
- The transfer request must be made before the original tour departure date.
- The transferred deposit must be used within 12 months of the original tour start date
or
on the next available We Ride Japan tour with availability, unless otherwise agreed by We Ride Japan. - Transfer is permitted once only, unless otherwise agreed by We Ride Japan.
- If the new tour price is higher, the difference must be paid.
- If the new tour price is lower, the difference will not be refunded.
2. Insurance
Do I need insurance for the tour?
While it is not a requirement, we strongly recommend that all guests purchase comprehensive travel insurance prior to their trip. Your policy should include cover for medical expenses, trip cancellation, and personal belongings.
3. Accommodation
What kind of hotels do we stay in?
On all of our tours we stay in a mix of hotels and ryokan – a Japanese traditional inn. Ryokan usually have bedrooms with tatami flooring – a traditional matt often used in Japanese bedrooms, with comfy futon mattresses (on the floor). You are provided with Yukata, a traditional dressing gown, which you can wear to dinner and breakfast if you wish. They often have a public bath or hot spring (onsen) as well as a private shower in the room.
What does single supplement mean?
Single supplement is an optional upgrade for travellers who are travelling alone but do not wish to share with another traveller. The price of this upgrade varies by tour so please see the tour details for pricing.
What is an onsen?
Onsen means natural hot spring and usually refers to a public spa. Some of the areas we pass through on our tours are famous for onsen and many of the places we stay have one that you can use. In Japan, bathing is ingrained into the culture and can be a real highlight of a trip here, especially a cycling one. Public baths are segregated by gender and swimsuits are not worn. For those who aren’t keen, all our accommodation has a private shower.
4. Food and Drink
What kind of food do we eat on tour?
Japanese cuisine has an incredible variety of fish, meat and vegetarian dishes and there is opportunity to sample many different kinds on this trip. At the hotels we stay at, dinner and breakfast are often buffet style. This is great because it allows you to try lots of different dishes and avoid the ones you don’t like. If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know in advance and we will do our best to accommodate.
5. Bike rental and bringing your own
What kind of bikes do you hire?
We have a great range of rental bikes available including road bikes, e-bikes, hybrid/cross bikes and kids bikes. See more details here
If I bring my own bike, how can I get it to the start of the tour?
If your bike is in a bag or box, you can take it on the train services in Japan, including the bullet train (shinkansen). There is also a courier service, allowing you to ship your bike to and from the airports of your arrival and departure. This service is specifically accessible from Tokyo (Narita and Haneda) and Osaka Kansai airports. By utilizing this service, you can travel without your bike and likewise, if you’re planning to extend your stay in Japan post-tour, but you do need to allow at least 3 working days for your bike to arrive. The approximate cost for this service is JPY 10,000 or $75 USD for a one-way shipment. Should you be interested in using this service, let us know and we’ll provide you with more details.
6. Tour grading
How are the tours graded?
Our tours are graded using a simple number system 1-5. Grade descriptions as follows:
Level 1: Light fitness – Suitable for any level of cyclist but courses are designed with shorter distances and less climbing in mind. Folks who can cycle for 3-4 hours at a leisurly pace, upto and around 40km in distance.
Level 2: Moderate – Similar to level 1 but will include a little more distance and climbing. Still perfectly achievable for someone with reasonable level of fitness and some cycling experience. Cycling upto 4-5 hours/ 50-60kms
Level 3: Moderate to challenging – A good level of fitness required. While average distances will be around 60-70kms we will have some longer days (100km +) and some big climbs. Ride at your own pace and enjoy a nice balance of some big days in the saddle and plenty of time off the bike for cultural experiences.
Level 4: Challenging – Similar to level 3 but with more big days and epic climbs and less time off the bike. Upto 150km days and some big mountain days. We are certainly not racing or going for any strava segments but you do need to be able to comfortably ride over 100kms with lots of climbing.
Level 5: Epic – We dont have any itineraries in this category yet but we can cater for it, with our guides always keen for a challenge. If you have a group who are looking for a custom tour to really push the limit, get in touch – while we’re not interested in racing on our tours, we do like epic rides and Japan has plenty of options. Think upto 200km days with 3000+ meters vertical ascent.
What kind of roads do we cycle on?
Cycling is a fantastic way to explore the Japanese countryside and this is partly down to the wonderful roads we have here. We avoid highways and main roads, riding mainly on quiet country roads with very little traffic. Japanese drivers are generally extremely corteous to cyclists.
7. Weather and Seasons
How is the weather in Japan?
Japan is a big country and climate varies greatly from North to South. Our tours are based around South Western Japan. Here we can cycle all year round with all seasons offering different experiences and highlights. Summers are hot and winters are short and relativley mild, although it can snow, especially up high in the mountains. We run most of our tours in the spring (March – May) and autumn (September – November). Both seasons are great for cycling with pleasant temperatures and stunning seasonal nature. The rainy season runs from early June to early July.
8. Non-cyclist partners and children
I’m not a cyclist but my partner is. Can I join the tour?
Yes of course! While our tours are cycling tours, they still make for a fantastic trip even without the riding. The great thing about Japan, there is always a beautiful shrine or temple to explore, a local market to peruse or a short hike to do. There will also be opportunity to check into the hotel early and unwind in the spa.
Regarding children, for group tours we require that all children under the age of 18 be accompanied by an adult. On group guided cycling tours, the minimum age is 13 years old. For private tours, there is no age limit. We will work with you to accommodate your kids as best we can. We do have a limited number of kids bike, tag-along bikes and child seats.